A Star-Crossed Cult Figure, Unadorned

By

Marc Myers

Jan. 31, 2013 6:31 p.m. ET

In 'Heartworn Highways'—a mid-'70s documentary about country musicians trying to revive the folk tradition of earlier generations—guitarist Townes Van Zandt sings and plays one of his songs in a trailer in Austin, Texas. As the camera lens closes in, it moves past his strumming arm to an older man sitting behind him listening—his eyes growing glassy as tears roll down his face.

Mr. Van Zandt's music had that effect on fans, musicians and record producers—and still does. In the years since his death in 1997 at age 52, Mr....